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What happens when a familiar, everyday space becomes a stage for music, conversation, and community? That\u2019s the idea behind Greasy Tunes, Spotify\u2019s multi-week residency in Nairobi that brings Kenya\u2019s listening culture off the playlist and into the real world.<\/span><\/p>\n Inspired by the original concept of transforming a classic \u201cgreasy spoon\u201d cafe into a cultural hub, <\/span>Spotify\u2019s Greasy Tunes Nairobi<\/span><\/a> is a 12-day program at Nairobi\u2019s Heltz House, a community events space, with programming running July 15-26. More than anything, Greasy Tunes reminds us that music is best experienced together.<\/span><\/p>\n The lineup for Greasy Tunes was built around how Nairobi listens. Spotify data from June 2026 showed that listeners 18-24 are responsible for more than half of all streams in the city. With listening peaking in the evening, music is clearly a key part of how young Nairobians unwind and connect\u2014and Greasy Tunes is designed to capture that vibe.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGreasy Tunes brings the energy people experience on Spotify into a shared physical space,\u201d said <\/span>Agnes Opondo<\/b>, Artist & Label Partnerships Lead for East Africa. \u201cThe program reflects how music already connects Nairobi\u2019s young listeners, whether through food, conversation, creativity, or community.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The first week, themed \u201cStarters,\u201d explored the intersection of sound and culture. <\/span>The Greasy Tunes Caf\u00e9 turned Heltz House into a daytime hub for work and connection, while the week\u2019s events showed how music is part of the city\u2019s social rituals. <\/span>The week kicked off with a Kitchen Opening Party with The BAG, a leading Nairobi music and culture platform, setting the tone by celebrating the links between food, music, and community.<\/span><\/p>\n Karibu Night, hosted by Studio 18, a creative collective known for championing the local fashion and cultural scene, translated the sound of Spotify\u2019s <\/span>Made In Kenya<\/span><\/a> playlist into a fashion showcase. The night included a live performance from <\/span>BURUKLYN BOYZ<\/b><\/a>, whose hip-hop and drill sound added another dimension to the Made In Kenya story.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The week flowed from fashion into conversation with live podcast recordings from <\/span>Culture Club<\/span><\/i><\/a>, Spotify\u2019s editor-led podcast exploring African music and culture, featuring Kenyan songwriter and producer <\/span>Eric Musyoka<\/b>, and <\/span>The 30 Percent Podcast<\/span><\/i><\/a>. Live performances also took over Heltz House, including <\/span>The Fisherman\u2019s Experience<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>ADUMA Presents<\/b><\/a>. The week closed with Smocha Sundays, which brought together gospel music, community, and a live football watch party, showing the many ways people gather around sound.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nFrom data to IRL\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
Week one: A taste of the city<\/b><\/h2>\n